SRC-CTC H.B. 2614 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2614
By: Solis, Jim (Lucio)
Business & Commerce
5/9/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

During the 76th legislative interim, the Senate Subcommittee on Border
Affairs studied dental health as a part of a broader charge to find ways to
improve the overall condition of health along the Texas-Mexico border.
Testimony provided to the committee indicated that only 26 percent of
children eligible for Medicaid received dental screenings in 1996, and the
percentage of children receiving such care is estimated to be lower in
rural areas.  When children do not receive oral health care at an early
age, it can lead to more serious problems, such as gum disease, which are
more difficult and costly to treat in the long run.  H.B. 2614 establishes
a dental care pilot program in the border region to serve indigent
individuals.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  (a) Requires the Texas Department of Health (department) to
develop and implement a dental hygiene pilot program to provide dental
services to indigent children who are residents of this state in
border-region counties selected by the department. 

 (b) Requires the department to implement the pilot program for certain
purposes. 

(c) Requires the Texas Board of Health (board) to establish eligibility
criteria for the pilot program.  Sets forth certain requirements for the
criteria. 

(d) Requires the department to determine the dental services to be provided
to program participants. 

(e) Sets forth certain requirements of the department in designing and
implementing the program. 
 
(f) Requires the board, as soon as practicable after the effective of this
Act, to establish eligibility criteria as required by Subsection (c) of
this section and to establish any other procedures or requirements
necessary to implement this Act.  Provides that the requirements of Chapter
2001, Government Code, relating to rulemaking do not apply to an action of
the board under this subsection. 

(g) Requires the department, not later than December 1, 2002, to submit a
report to the legislature regarding the program, including certain items. 

 (h) Provides that this section expires September 1, 2003.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.